Sea bass minimum to go up to 12 1/2" in NJ

The NJ Marine Fisheries Council bowed to the new federally-required 12 ½-inch minimum length for black sea bass, but Dr. Pat Donnelly inserted language that will allow a fallback to the present 12 inches should the National Marine Fisheries Service decide the latest assessment permits that. That change can then be made automatically through the administrative process, rather than requiring another Council meeting. The 12 1/2-inch minimum will take several weeks to implement through that process, but should be included in this year's issue of the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Guide.